In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity of three Egyptian local chicken strains
(Fayoumi, Dandarawi and Sinai) and six synthetic breeds derived from Fayoumi and Sinai
by intercrossing with Barren Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red or White Cornish. Diversity
measures were based on interrogation of 29 microsatellites. We identified three main
clusters of chicken populations encompassing selected Fayoumi lines and Doki-4 (cluster-1),
native Dandarawi (cluster-2) and Sinai, and all six synthetic breeds (cluster-3). Dandarawi
and Fayoumi lines exhibited lower intra-population genetic diversity and allelic privacy
than Sinai and synthetic breeds. The global inbreeding (FIT) was 0.11, among-population
differentiation (FST) was 0.07, and within-population differentiation (FIS) was 0.04. The
between-population marker-estimated kinship was lower than within-population estimates.
The cluster analysis classified the Fayoumi lines, Dandarawi and Gimmizah as clearly
separated populations. The other strains were configured in mosaic admixed groups. |
